Vacuum tape



Jan. 7, 1941. F J, GRQFF 2,227,541

VACUUM TAPE Filed April 8, 1933 I7' .4 171%5 1514 .Ef-3

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atented J'an. 7, 1941 UNITI-:o ,STATI-:s

' PATENTv OFFICE 'VACUUM TAPE Frank J. Groff, St. Paul, Minn. sppueauon April s, 193s, serrano. zooms 7 Claims.

My invention relates to an improvement in vacuum tape wherein it is desired to incorporate in a continuous tape a series of vacuum cups for the purpose of adhering the tape to a smooth surface.

It has become rather common practice in recent years to utilize vacuum cups for adhering various devices to a smooth surface. It has also been common practice to adhere two smooth l sheets, or the like, together by means of a resilient tape adhered to the two sheets. For example, in applying a frost shield to the windshield or other windows of a motor vehicle, it has been usual to utilize a strip of tape bearing adhesive on opposed M surfaces, one surface of which is to engage against the windshield or vehicle window, whereas, the opposite side is designed to contact and support a pane of glass in spaced relation to the windshield. This former construction `necessarily mmust be carefully applied as the adhesives operate most effectively at one certain temperature. Furthermore, the adhesive usually leaves a marl; upon the window and the glass which is diflcult to remove when the frost shields are removed. wi. It is arpurpose of the present invention to provicle a tape construction which embodies a continuous series of separate vacuum cells which adhere the tape to a smooth surface. It is found preferable to divide the tape into a series of cells rather than to provide a single cell so that even if air is permitted to enter some of the cells to break the seal thereof, the remaining cells will ordinarily act to adhere the tape closely to the smooth surface.

It is a purpose of the present invention to provide a vacuum tape having vacuum cells along at least one surface thereof and to provide a means of attaching a plate to the tape. In one embodi ment of my invention, I provide a tape having a groove for accommodating the auxiliary plate.

It is a purpose of my invention to provide, if desired, vacuum cells in oppositely disposed surfaces of the tape, so that the tape may be used between two smooth surfaces to adhere these smooth surfaces together. This construction enables me to support a frost shield, for example, to the windshield or window of a. vehicle, by merely pressing the tape firmly in place between these elements and compressing the vacuum cells to create a partial vacuum therein.

'Ihese and other features and novel objects of my invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawing forming a part of my speciiication:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a windshield, showing a frost shield in place thereon.

Figure 2 is a bottom view of one type of tape which may be used for this purpose,

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section through the center of the ,tape illustrated in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the tape of Figures 2 and 3, taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the tape of Figures 2 and 3, taken on the line 5--5 of Figure 2.

Figure `6 is a bottom view oi a slightly different form of. arrangement of the vacuum cells in the tape.

Figure 7 is a longitudinal section through the tape illustrated in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional View through the tape of Figures 6 and 7, taken on the line 8- of Figure 6.

Figure 9 is a longitudinal section through a modified form of tape.

Figure lo is a cross-sectional view of the tape indicatedV on the line ilu-i0 of Figure 9.

Figure ll is a longitudinal section through a modified form of tape. l

Figure l2 is a cross-sectional view of the tape taken on the line i2-li of Figure ll.

The tape A comprises a wide, hat strip Ill of tape, having a longitudinally extending slot Il extending thereintc preferably from one side edge of the same. A series of suction cups I2 are formed attached at the upper extremity thereof to the tape Il) and having the tapered edges of the cups extending in a fiat plane parallel the tape Ill. Intermediate the cups l2 I provide a pair of ribs i3 which are connected to the strip It at approximately the transverse center thereof, and which taper outwardly and downwardly to the plane of the lower extremities of the cups it. In other words, the ribs I3 connect the cups it and extend to the plane of the open edges of these cups so that air or moisture cannot pass through the tape between the cups. In reality, the ribs I3 form suction cups I4 between the circular cups I2, these suction cups I4 being bounded by the ribs I3 and the edges of the cups I2 inclosed by these ribs. In the use of the tape A, a sheet of glass I5, or other material, is inserted within the groove I I so that the tape I0 entirely surrounds this sheet of glass or the like. 'I'he tape may then be secured to a windshield or Window I6 by merely pressing the same into intimate engagement therewith, the suction cups being compressed so as" to create a partial vacuum within the same.

In Figures 6, 7, and 8 of the drawing, I disclose a modified form of tape which may be substituted for the specific tape A, illustrated in Figures 2 through 5. 'I'his type of tape B comprises a flat relatively wide strip I l of resilient material, having a groove I5 therein similar to the groove II in the tape A. .Attached to one of the flat surfaces of the tape I9, I provide a series of integral suction cups 20 which are sufficiently close together to merge into one another at the periphery thereof. Awall 2Ipis provided between the merging portions to separate the cups one from the other and to make each cup 20 individual. A web 22 connects ,the portions of the suction cups 20 which do not overlap so as to prevent the flow of air or moisture past the cups when the tape is in position.

In Figure 9 of the drawing, I provide a tape C shown connecting the glass plate I5 to the windshield or window I6. In this type of tape C the upper surface of the tape is provided with a continuous series of suction cups 23, whereas, the lower surface is equipped with oppositely disposed suction cups 24. These cups are sufliciently close to contact one another at the periphery thereof, and webs 25 connect the portions of the cups 23 and 24 which do not contact. Thus a continuous tape is formed which will not permit the air or moisture to pass between the glass plates I5 and I6 when the tape isin use. Figure 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the cups 23 and 24 shown in this modification.

In Figures 11 and 12 of the drawing, I illustrate a tape D which is similar to the tape C, but is provided with suction cups of different shape. The suction cups 26 and 21 are in opposed relationship, the cups 26 having the opening edges thereof opposite those of the suction cups 21, In this form of construction, the suction cups are substantially rectangular in shape, having outwardly tapered side edges 29 and 30 and outwardly tapered ends 3| and 32. Hollow spaces 33 are thus formed between adjacent pairs of suction cups 26 and 21, which hollow spaces are closed by the end walls 3| and 32 of the suction cups and by the side walls 29 and 30 thereof. If desired, these spaces 30 may be provided with a central division wall midway between the sides of the openings in the form of a web, such as the webs 22 and 25 of the previous modifications.

It is obvious that any form of my tape illusrtrated may be used to secure a sheet of glass or the like, to a window or windshield of a vehicle. The tape may also have considerable other uses, the frost shield disclosure being made merely to illustrate one purpose for which this type of tape may be used. It will also be understood that While I have disclosed the types of tape A and B, as being provided with a groove II or I9 into which the edge of a glass may extend, it will be understood that the constructions and arrangement of suction cups shown in these modications may similarly be used on opposite sides of the tape as shown in the modied forms C and D. In other words, the tape construction as seen in Figures 2 and 6 of the drawing, may be used on both sides of the tape if it is desired, and the suction cup arrangement illustrated in Figures 9 and 11, of the drawing, may be provided with a groove such as II or I9.

In accordance with the patent statutes I have described the principles of construction of my vacuum tape, and While I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiments thereof, I desire to have it understood that this is only illustrative of a means of carrying out my invention and that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claims Without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim: I

1. A tape comprising an elongated narrow resilient body, a series of suction cups integrally secured at their bases to said resilient body, feather contacting edges on each said cup all lying on a single plane substantially spaced from said body, and means integral with said body and said cups extending from said body to the plane of said feather edges connecting adjacent cups to prevent leakage between said cups between said body and the plane of said feather edges.

2. A tape comprising a series of projecting aligned suction cups having feather edges, the feather edges of all of said cups lying on the same plane and the bases of all of said cups uniting to form the body of the tape andlying on substantially a second plane parallel to the rst mentioned plane, and thin integral web means connecting adjacent suction cups, said web and cups being formed of resilient material.

3. A tape comprising a resilient body including two series of opposed integral suction cups having the bases thereof connected together, feather edges of one series of said cups all lying in a single plane, feather edges on the other series all lying on a second plane parallel said first plane, and thin integral web means connecting adjacent suction cups.

4. A tape comprising a series of spaced suction cups, feather edges thereon lying on a single plane, a strip integral with the bases of said cups connecting the same, and a pair of spaced longitudinally extending webs having feather edges extending from one cup to the next, and from.y

said strip to said plane.

5. A tape comprising a series of suction cups having relatively small bases and having feather edges of relatively larger size, said feather edge of one cup integrally interconnected with the feather edge of the next adjacent cup, a resilient strip integrally connecting the bases of said cups, and longitudinally extending web means extending between adjacent cups from said strip to said feather edges.

6. A tape comprising a series of suction cups having bases of relatively small perimeter and feather edges of relatively large perimeter, the feather edges of adjacent cups being integrally connected together, suction cups extending in opposed relation to said rst named suction cups, said bases being common to both opposed cups, and the feather edges of said last named cups being integrally connected together.

7. A tape comprising a series of projecting aligned suction cups having aligned feather edges, the feather edges of all of said cups lying on the same plane and the bases of the cups uniting to form the body of the tape and lying on substantally a second plane parallel to the first mentioned plane, a second series of projecting aligned suction cups in opposed relation to said rst mentioned suction cups and having feather edges, the feather edges of all of said second suction cups ISI) lying on a third plane parallel to said first and second planes and the bases of the cups united with said first suction cups and lying on substan- 'tially said second plane, and thin integral web means connecting adjacent opposed pairs of suction cups, said web and cups being formed of resilient material.

FRANK J. GROFF. 

